THE Outstanding Achievement Award for President and Vice-Chancellor

The University of Manchester’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell has been honoured for her achievements by the Times Higher Education at its prestigious annual awards ceremony.

In presenting the award Times Higher Education said: “Few people in higher education have been as successful at every rung of the ladder as Dame Nancy, who will next year complete 14 years in charge of The University of Manchester.

“In doing all this she has shone out as a beacon for women in higher education and beyond, smashing glass ceilings at every turn.”

Only one such award is made by Times Higher Education each year and previous winners have included highly influential figures such as classicist, Professor Dame Mary Beard; Dame Sarah Gilbert, Saïd professor of vaccinology, University of Oxford; and Dame Athene Donald, University of Cambridge.

Nancy’s association with Manchester goes back to 1987 when she joined the University as a researcher in physiology. She has held a number of roles in both leadership and research at the University and in 2010 became the first woman to lead the University or either of its two predecessor institutions.

The award recognises outstanding contributions to the wider sector.  Nancy’s influence nationally includes being the founding President of what is now the Royal Society of Biology and previously serving as Co-Chair of the PM’s Council for Science and Technology and President of the British Neuroscience Association. She was the first woman to Chair the Russell Group (2020- 2023).

On Nancy’s continued scientific achievements, the judges added: “She started with PhD completed in just 2 years (it was published in Nature, naturally) and went on to enjoy a stellar research career as a physiologist.

“She performed the rare feat of switching fields, from obesity to neuroscience –and established herself as one of the UK’s leading science advocates.”

Nancy said: “I would like to thank the Times Higher Education for this award. It is an honour to join the list of remarkable people who have received it in previous years.

“I am very proud to lead The University of Manchester and the incredible community of staff, students and partners who contribute to its success, especially as we enter the University’s 200^th year in 2024.

“I care deeply about the higher education sector in this country and I will continue to advocate for it and the role it plays in transforming lives and society for the better.”